The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 2:1-2, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea

in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,

‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the

east and have come to worship Him.’”

I have read rather diligently on this verse in order to bring you what I believe

to be the truth. History is filled with legends that twist this way and that, so

we are left not knowing all we would like about the experience of the Magi,

or Wise Men, as they are sometimes called. The Person (Jesus) and the

Place (Bethlehem) are well-known to be accurate. Herod is Herod the

Great, who reigned from 37 B.C. to A.D. 4 (the time of his death). The

Magi are believed to be astrologers from ancient Persia (Iran), basing their

belief of Jesus’ birth somewhat on the teachings of the Prophet Daniel.

They boldly said to Herod, “For we saw His star in the east and have come

to worship Him.” It might better be translated as, “We in the east have seen

His star…”; for had the star been to the east of the Magi, they would have

journeyed toward Afghanistan and China. ~ What is of prime importance

is that the Magi were not Jewish, but pagans. Some who seek Jesus today

surprise us because they don’t attend any church or belong to a specific

religion, yet they have a longing to know the peace that only Jesus can bring.

Be alert and ready to share Jesus with them. He alone is the solution to their

needs.

Our love and prayers are with you,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas